In brief: NCB 'on schedule,' providers fight 9.5% cut

BALTIMORE - CMS sent providers an e-mail last week saying it will open the bid window for national competitive bidding on Oct. 21 as planned. "CMS is currently on schedule to meet this target date," the e-mail states. CMS will officially announce the opening of the 60-day bid window via a listserv message. CMS has also scheduled its next Special Open Door Forum on competitive bidding. It will discuss the bid submission process on Oct. 7 from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. EST. To participate, call 800-837-1935 and use the ID 23045692.



Rep. Wilbur: Repeal 9.5% cut for complex rehab

WASHINGTON - Rep. Tammy Baldwin, D-Wis., has gone to bat for the complex rehab industry, writing a letter in support of repealing the 9.5% cut as part of healthcare reform. Baldwin now looks to industry stakeholders to collect additional signatures before she sends the letter to Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi this week. Both NCART and NRRTS are calling to action their members and complex rehab providers at large: Call your representative and ask him or her to co-sign the letter (All representatives have to do is contact Elizabeth Lee in Baldwin's office at 202-225-2906 or elizabeth.lee@mail.house.gov). The deadline for collecting signatures: Oct. 6. E-mail NCART's Don Clayback at dclayback@ncart.us for a PDF of Baldwin's letter.



Errors plague negative pressure claims

WASHINGTON - A prepayment review of negative pressure wound therapy pumps revealed an error rate of 60%, according to a bulletin issued by National Government Services, the Jurisdiction B MAC. The review was conducted in June and July for the first month's billing of E2402. Most denials were due to insufficient documentation of medical necessity, specifically, inadequate documentation of wound evaluation/history. Providers should review local coverage determination L27025.



VGM Web site generates sales leads for HMEs

WATERLOO, Iowa - The VGM Group has created a lead-generating Web site, hmeprovider.com, designed to connect caregivers and patients with local HME providers. Consumers who log onto to the Web site can review a product catalog, get production information and, in many cases, view demonstration videos. Caregivers or patients may then request a free quote by entering basic information about themselves or loved ones. An electronic lead notification is then sent to VGM members who choose to participate, alerting them to a product inquiry in their areas. Members may accept or decline the lead, then follow up with the consumer directly.



Disposable supplies should see growth

NEW YORK - Demand for disposable medical supplies is expected to increase 4.1% annually to more than $79 billion by 2013, says a new study by Reportlinker.com. Of that, the largest segment of growth is in respiratory care devices, drug delivery and catheterization ($38.6 billion by 2013). Demand for wound care supplies, including dressings, will hit $8.7 billion. Other growth areas include incontinence supplies, especially diapers and shields; and diabetes, with the growing numbers of diabetics pushing demand for glucose test strips and diabetes home diagnosis kits.



Pride offers CEU units at Medtrade

ATLANTA - HME providers and clinicians who attend Medtrade can earn CEU credits, courtesy of Pride Mobility Products and Quantum Rehab. Quantum University will be held at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta Oct. 12. It is part of the Medtrade Fall 2009 Pre-Show Conference. The cost is $255, which includes admission to any Quantum University full-day course, complimentary breakfast, lunch, course materials and course certificate, admission to the Medtrade Conference and an expo pass. Course curriculum includes PMD documentation, seating and positioning, functional applications of wheelchair electronics, and a RESNA (ATP) preparatory course.